Mars Close Approach - April 2014

On April 14, 2014, Mars will make a close approach to Earth. Mars’ brightness will match the star Sirius, which is the brightest of all the stars. The planet will be in the constellation Virgo, 6 degrees north/north-east of the bright star Spica.

As a coincidence, on the same night that Mars is closest to Earth, you can see a total lunar eclipse. With Earth’s shadow falling on the full Moon, it will have a reddish color.